Damping mechanisms and motor assemblies

Abstract

Damping mechanisms and motor assemblies are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a damping mechanism includes an end cap, a bearing retainer plate, a bearing damper ring, a bearing assembly, and first and second lateral dampers. The bearing damper ring is disposed in an annular cavity inwardly from an inner diameter surface of the end cap and has a radially inwardly-extending flange. The bearing assembly is disposed in the annular cavity radially inwardly relative to the bearing damper ring. The first lateral damper is disposed between a radially inwardly-extending wall of the end cap and the bearing damper ring. The second lateral damper is disposed between the bearing damper ring and the bearing retainer plate.

1. A damping mechanism for a motor, the damping mechanism comprising:
 an end cap having an inner diameter surface and a radially inwardly-extending wall; 
 a bearing retainer plate attached to the end cap to define an annular cavity with the inner diameter surface and the radially inwardly-extending wall of the end cap; 
 a bearing damper ring disposed in the annular cavity inwardly from the inner diameter surface of the end cap and having a radially inwardly-extending flange; 
 a bearing assembly disposed in the annular cavity and radially inwardly relative to the bearing damper ring; 
 a first lateral damper disposed between the radially inwardly-extending wall of the end cap and the bearing damper ring; and 
 a second lateral damper disposed between the bearing damper ring and the bearing retainer plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The damping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring has an outer diameter surface including a groove; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a radial damper disposed in the groove. 
 
     
     
       3. The damping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring has an outer diameter surface including a ring-shaped groove; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a ring-shaped radial damper disposed in the ring-shaped groove. 
 
     
     
       4. The damping mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the ring-shaped radial damper comprises an elastomeric ring. 
 
     
     
       5. The damping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring has an outer diameter surface including a spiral-shaped groove; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a spiral-shaped radial damper disposed in the spiral-shaped groove. 
 
     
     
       6. The damping mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the spiral-shaped radial damper comprises spiral tubing. 
 
     
     
       7. The damping mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the spiral tubing includes an inert gas or gel. 
 
     
     
       8. The damping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring comprises a plurality of grooves; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a plurality of radial dampers corresponding to and disposed in the plurality of grooves. 
 
     
     
       9. The damping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral damper and the second lateral damper comprise elastomeric gaskets. 
     
     
       10. The damping mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a third lateral damper adjacent to the first lateral damper. 
     
     
       11. The damping mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second lateral damper disposed between the bearing damper ring and the bearing retainer plate. 
 
     
     
       12. A damping mechanism for a motor, the damping mechanism comprising:
 an end cap having an inner diameter surface and a radially inwardly-extending wall; 
 a bearing retainer plate attached to the end cap to define an annular cavity with the inner diameter surface and the radially inwardly-extending wall of the end cap; 
 a bearing damper ring disposed in the annular cavity inwardly from the inner diameter surface of the end cap and having a radially inwardly-extending flange and an outer diameter surface including a groove; 
 a bearing assembly disposed in the annular cavity and radially inwardly relative to the bearing damper ring; 
 a radial damper disposed in the groove; and 
 a first lateral damper disposed between the radially inwardly-extending wall of the end cap and the bearing damper ring. 
 
     
     
       13. A motor assembly, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a shaft extending through the housing; 
 a rotor mounted to the shaft; 
 a stator surrounding the rotor; 
 a first damping mechanism coupled to a first end of the housing to enclose the rotor and the stator in the housing, the first damping mechanism including:
 a first end cap having an inner diameter surface and a first radially inwardly-extending wall; 
 a first bearing retainer plate attached to the first end cap to define a first annular cavity; 
 a first bearing damper ring disposed in the first annular cavity inwardly from the inner diameter surface of the first end cap and having a first radially inwardly-extending flange; 
 a first bearing assembly disposed in the first annular cavity and radially inwardly relative to the first bearing damper ring; 
 a first lateral damper disposed between the first radially inwardly-extending wall of the first end cap and the first bearing damper ring; and 
 a second lateral damper disposed between the first bearing damper ring and the first bearing retainer plate. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The motor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring has an outer diameter surface including a groove; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a radial damper disposed in the groove. 
 
     
     
       15. The motor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring has an outer diameter surface including a ring-shaped groove; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a ring-shaped radial damper corresponding to and disposed in the ring-shaped groove. 
 
     
     
       16. The motor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring has an outer diameter surface including a spiral-shaped groove; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a spiral-shaped radial damper corresponding to and disposed in the spiral-shaped groove. 
 
     
     
       17. The motor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the bearing damper ring has an outer diameter surface including a plurality of grooves; and 
 the damping mechanism further comprises a plurality of radial dampers corresponding to and disposed in the plurality of grooves. 
 
     
     
       18. The motor assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second damping mechanism coupled to a second end of the housing to enclose the rotor and the stator in the housing. 
 
     
     
       19. The motor assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first lateral damper and the second lateral damper comprise elastomeric gaskets. 
     
     
       20. The motor assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a third lateral damper adjacent to the first lateral damper.